Chapter 153 - 148: Tales Around the Fire
The Crossroads Inn was already alive before sunrise.
The stable doors opened and closed as travelers prepared to leave, wagon wheels creaked across the courtyard, and the scent of fresh bread drifted through the cool morning air.
John leaned against the railing outside his room, watching the bustle below.
It was very different from Greenhollow.
There, mornings had been peaceful.
Here, everyone seemed to have somewhere they needed to be.
Lythriel stepped onto the balcony a few moments later.
"You’re people-watching again."
John smiled.
"I guess I am."
She rested her arms on the railing beside him.
"What are you thinking about?"
John watched another merchant caravan roll out through the gates.
"...Everyone has their own destination."
"And every one of them probably has a story."
Lythriel followed his gaze.
"I suppose that’s true."
---
After breakfast, the group decided to remain at the inn for one more day before continuing toward Valenor.
There was no need to rush.
Besides, Aerion wanted to restock a few travel supplies.
"I’ll be back before noon," he said.
"The market outside the inn should have what we need."
"I’ll come with you," Sylvara offered.
"I’d like to look around."
Aerion nodded.
"Of course."
The two headed toward the outdoor market that had formed around the crossroads.
Meanwhile, John and Lythriel stayed behind.
"So..."
Lythriel stretched lazily.
"What do you want to do?"
John looked around the common room.
"I don’t know."
"I was thinking of just listening."
"Listening?"
"To people."
She laughed.
"Only you would spend your free time eavesdropping."
"I prefer the term ’learning through conversation.’"
"They’re the same thing."
---
They found a quiet table near the fireplace.
From there, they could hear snippets of conversations without intruding.
A pair of merchants discussed rising grain prices in the western provinces.
An elderly traveler recounted crossing a mountain pass during a blizzard.
Two adventurers argued over which region had the most dangerous monsters.
John listened with genuine interest.
The world felt larger with every story.
---
One conversation, however, caught his attention.
"...They say someone cleared the Ashfang Cave alone."
Another traveler frowned.
"Impossible."
"That’s what I thought."
"But the Guild confirmed it."
"No survivors?"
"None of the monsters."
John exchanged a glance with Lythriel.
She lowered her voice.
"Sounds impressive."
"It does."
"But stories grow with every telling."
Lythriel nodded.
"That’s true."
---
Not long after, a cheerful voice interrupted them.
"Mind if I join you?"
John looked up.
Standing beside the table was a young man around John’s apparent age.
He had short brown hair, light leather armor, and carried a spear across his back.
He wore the easy smile of someone who made friends quickly.
John gestured to the empty chair.
"Go ahead."
The young man sat down.
"Thanks."
"I’m Owen."
"John."
"Lythriel."
"Pleased to meet you."
---
Owen glanced toward the Soul Raven perched quietly above the fireplace.
"...I’ve never seen a bird so calm."
John smiled faintly.
"It has a lot of practice."
The raven gave him a sideways look but remained silent.
Owen laughed.
"I’ve been traveling for nearly a month."
"Headed to Valenor?"
John nodded.
"You too?"
"Yep."
"I’m hoping to register with the Adventurers’ Guild there."
Lythriel looked curious.
"First time?"
"It is."
"I’ve only handled odd jobs in villages."
John could hear the excitement in his voice.
It reminded him of Nathan dreaming about becoming an adventurer someday.
---
"So," Owen asked, "what are you all good at?"
Lythriel answered first.
"I use a sword."
Sylvara wasn’t there to answer, so John simply said,
"She specializes in support magic."
Owen looked at Aerion’s empty chair.
"And him?"
"Magic."
"A lot of experience."
Owen nodded appreciatively.
Finally, he looked back at John.
"And you?"
John hesitated.
"...I fight."
Lythriel snorted.
"You make it sound so simple."
Owen laughed.
"I’ve met a lot of adventurers."
"Usually they brag."
John shrugged.
"I don’t see much point."
Owen smiled.
"I like that."
---
The three spent the next hour exchanging travel stories.
Most of Owen’s adventures were surprisingly ordinary.
Helping escort caravans.
Driving wolves away from farms.
Recovering lost livestock.
Listening to him reminded John of something important.
Not every adventurer fought legendary monsters.
Most simply helped people.
There was dignity in that too.
---
Around midday, Aerion and Sylvara returned carrying several bags.
Lythriel peeked inside one.
"Tea."
She opened another.
"More tea."
She looked at Aerion suspiciously.
"...How much tea do you drink?"
Aerion answered without missing a beat.
"Enough."
John laughed.
"I think that’s the first time I’ve heard you give a vague answer."
"There are some mysteries that should remain unsolved."
---
Owen stood as they approached.
"I should get going."
He adjusted the strap of his spear.
"My caravan leaves in an hour."
John also stood.
"It was nice meeting you."
"You too."
Owen hesitated before speaking again.
"Maybe we’ll see each other in Valenor."
John smiled.
"I’d like that."
The young adventurer waved before disappearing into the crowd of travelers.
---
That evening, the innkeeper announced something unexpected.
"We’re roasting a whole boar tonight."
The common room immediately erupted into cheers.
Apparently, a successful hunting party had donated it to celebrate a safe journey.
Long tables were pushed together.
Travelers who had never met before soon found themselves sharing food and conversation.
John found himself seated between a merchant from the southern coast and a retired knight.
The merchant enthusiastically described the bustling ports where ships from distant kingdoms arrived every week.
The retired knight countered with stories of old castles and forgotten battlefields.
John mostly listened.
Every tale painted another piece of the world beyond the road.
---
As dinner came to an end, the bard near the fireplace began playing a slower melody.
Conversations gradually softened.
Some travelers quietly sang along.
Others simply listened.
John rested back in his chair.
"You know..."
Lythriel looked at him.
"What?"
"I think I understand why places like this exist."
"The inn?"
He nodded.
"Not just to give people a place to sleep."
"But to let strangers share stories."
Aerion smiled faintly.
"Every road carries travelers."
"But crossroads..."
"...carry the world."
John looked around the room one last time.
Yesterday, everyone here had been strangers.
Tomorrow, they would all head in different directions.
Yet for one evening...
Their paths had crossed.
And somehow...
That was enough to create memories that would travel with them long after the roads separated once more.
Outside, the stars slowly appeared above the crossroads.
Beyond them, somewhere in the northeast, lay the Kingdom of Valenor.
Their next destination was drawing closer with every passing day.
And although none of them knew what awaited them there...
They looked forward to finding out together.
---
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